what to do when you have been in an accident
DESCRIPTION
http://edsonlegal.com/our-expertise/serious-motor-vehicle-injury/ | If you have been involved in an accident, it is important to quickly assess your surroundings and contact the authorities. If there are any injuries or if you feel that you are not being represented properly, call a lawyer immediately.TRANSCRIPT
Assess Your Condition
• The first thing to do after an
accident is to briefly assess
your condition to determine
if it is safe for you to move.
• If you do not believe you
are injured, you should
then check to see if anyone
else needs medical
attention.
• Contact the police in order
to get emergency
assistance on the scene.
Take Safety Precautions
• Turn on your hazard lights
and use any flares you
might have in your trunk.
This will help other drivers
avoid the accident scene.
• Do not remain in the
roadway, as this might lead
to further injury.
Gather and report
• You will want to get the
license tag information as
well as the insurance
information for the other
driver.
• When the police arrive on
the scene, you will likely be
questioned.
• Be sure to stick to the facts
and don’t provide
additional information that
isn’t relevant to the case at
hand.
Sketch the Scene
• You should sketch the
accident as you recall it.
• This doesn’t have to be a
professional drawing, but it
should depict your vehicle,
the other vehicles involved,
and what happened.
• Do this as soon after the
accident as possible so
everything is still fresh in
your memory.
Seek Medical Assistance
• Even if you don’t believe that you are hurt, you may have suffered a serious injury.
• Many collision-related injuries don’t present symptoms until later in the day or even the following few days.
• Getting medical treatment immediately will help you if you need to seek damages in the future.
Contact a Lawyer
• A lawyer is your best line of
defense after an accident.
• If you are injured, you have
the right to seek
compensation for your
medical costs.
• You can also seek
compensation of other
expenses, such as lost
wages, rehabilitation, and
transportation to medical
appointments.
Do Not Speak to an Insurance
Adjuster
• Do not speak to insurance
adjuster about your injuries
before consulting a lawyer.
• The insurance companies
want to settle for the lowest
price possible, and you
might not get the funds for
which you are entitled.
• Your lawyer can deal with
the adjustors so you don’t
have to.
Know Your Rights
• Whenever you are involved
in an accident, you should
make sure you are aware
of your rights.
• You don’t have to say
anything that might
incriminate you when
talking with the police.
• If you are ever unsure of
your rights under the law,
contact a lawyer for
assistance.
Contact Us
• www.edsonlegal.com
• 1-855-702-3119
• www.facebook.com/EdsonLegal